Torque wrench system having multiple torque stations

Abstract

An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system for installing or removing a plurality of threaded bolt or nut members on a riser, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of torque stations, including a separate torque station for each bolt or nut; 
 each torque station including:
 (i) a wrench body that includes
 first and second end portions, and 
 a drive head
 on the first end portion of the body; 
 
 
 (ii) a torque wrench
 operatively connected to the drive head 
 for rotating a threaded bolt or nut member 
 at a rotational speed under a torque condition; 
 
 (iii) a horizontal positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally horizontal direction; 
 
 (iv) a vertical positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally vertical direction, 
 
 
 wherein when the drive head is engaged with the threaded bolt or nut member, 
 the vertical positioning mechanism
 can vertically position the drive head 
 independent from operation of the torque wrench, wherein the wrench system has a center of mass and the riser has an interior and the center of mass of the wrench system is located inside the interior of the riser; 
 
 (b) a controller 
 that controls the plurality of torque stations, including
 the torque wrenches, 
 the horizontal positioning mechanism, and 
 the vertical positioning mechanisms 
 
 such that the plurality of drive heads engage
 their respective bolt or nut members, 
 
 wherein the controller automatically controls the plurality of torque stations. 
 
     
     
       2. The wrench system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torque stations are radially spaced about a circle. 
     
     
       3. The wrench of  claim 2 , wherein there are six torque stations. 
     
     
       4. The wrench of  claim 2 , wherein in step “b”, the controller automatically controls
 the torque stations, 
 torque wrenches, and 
 horizontal and vertical positioning mechanisms. 
 
     
     
       5. A multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system for installing or removing a plurality of threaded bolt or nut members on a riser, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of torque stations, 
 each torque station including:
 (i) a wrench body that includes
 first and second end portions, and 
 a drive head
 on the first end portion of the body; 
 
 
 (ii) a torque wrench
 operatively connected to the drive head 
 for rotating a threaded bolt or nut member 
 at a rotational speed under a torque condition; 
 
 (iii) a horizontal positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally horizontal direction; 
 
 (iv) a vertical positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally vertical direction, 
 
 
 wherein when the drive head is engaged with the threaded bolt or nut member, 
 the vertical positioning mechanism
 can vertically position the drive head 
 independent from operation of the torque wrench; 
 
 (b) a controller 
 that controls the plurality of torque stations, including
 the torque wrenches, 
 the horizontal positioning mechanism, and 
 the vertical positioning mechanisms 
 
 such that the plurality of drive heads engage
 their respective bolt or nut members; 
 
 an extendable and retractable bolt lifter, 
 wherein in the extended condition each bolt lifter
 can vertically move a bolt to which its respective drive head is attached in the event the bolt enters a freely spinning condition. 
 
 
     
     
       6. A multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system for installing or removing a plurality of fasteners each having a threaded bolt and a nut on a riser, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of torque stations including one torque station for each said fastener, each torque station including:
 (i) a wrench body that includes
 first and second end portions, and 
 a drive head
 on the first end portion of the body; 
 
 
 (ii) a torque wrench operatively connected to the drive head
 for rotating a threaded bolt member 
 at a rotational speed under a torque condition, 
 the threaded bolt member including a driven head; 
 
 (iii) a horizontal positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head 
 in a generally horizontal direction; 
 
 (iv) a vertical positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head 
 in a generally vertical direction, 
 
 
 wherein when the drive head engages the threaded bolt member, 
 the drive head encases the driven head of the threaded bolt member 
 from a vertical direction generally above the head of the threaded bolt member, and 
 
       wherein the vertical positioning mechanism can vertically position the drive head independently from operation of the horizontal positioning mechanism, further comprising a frame that encircles said riser and said plurality of torque stations are on said frame, and wherein the horizontal positioning mechanism moves the drive head along a radially extending line;
 (b) a controller that controls the plurality of torque stations, including
 the torque wrenches, 
 the horizontal positioning mechanism, and 
 the vertical positioning mechanisms 
 
 
       such that the plurality of drive heads engage their respective bolt or nut members. 
     
     
       7. The multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of torque stations are radially spaced about a circle. 
     
     
       8. The multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system of  claim 7 , wherein there are six torque stations. 
     
     
       9. The multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system of  claim 7 , wherein in step “b”, the controller automatically controls
 the torque stations, 
 torque wrenches, and 
 horizontal and vertical positioning mechanisms. 
 
     
     
       10. A multi-bolt or nut torque wrench system for installing or removing a plurality of threaded bolt or nut members on a riser, the system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of torque stations, each torque station including:
 (i) a wrench body that includes
 first and second end portions, and 
 a drive head
 on the first end portion of the body; 
 
 
 (ii) a torque wrench operatively connected to the drive head
 for rotating a threaded bolt member 
 at a rotational speed under a torque condition, 
 the threaded bolt member including a driven head; 
 
 (iii) a horizontal positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head 
 in a generally horizontal direction; 
 
 (iv) a vertical positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head 
 in a generally vertical direction, 
 
 
 
       wherein when the drive head engages the threaded bolt member, 
       the drive head encases the driven head of the threaded bolt member 
       from a vertical direction generally above the head of the threaded bolt member;
 (b) a controller that controls the plurality of torque stations, including
 the torque wrenches, 
 the horizontal positioning mechanism, and 
 the vertical positioning mechanisms 
 
 
       such that the plurality of drive heads engage their respective bolt or nut members;
 an extendable and retractable bolt lifter, 
 wherein in the extended condition each bolt lifter
 can vertically move a bolt to which its respective drive head is attached in the event the bolt enters a freely spinning condition. 
 
 
     
     
       11. A method of breaking out a riser string, comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing a plurality of torque stations, each torque station including:
 (i) a wrench body that includes 
 first and second end portions, and 
 a drive head
   on the first end portion of the body;   
 
 (ii) a torque wrench
 operatively connected to the drive head 
 for turning the drive head a driving rotational speed; 
 
 (iii) a horizontal positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally horizontal direction; and 
 
 (iv) a vertical positioning mechanism
 for moving the drive head in a generally vertical direction, 
 
 
 
       wherein when the drive head is engaged with a threaded bolt or nut member, 
       the vertical positioning mechanism
 can vertically position the drive head 
 independent from operation of the torque wrench, further comprising a frame that encircles and surrounds said riser, the frame including the plurality of torque stations, and wherein the horizontal positioning mechanism moves the drive head along a generally horizontally extending line; 
 (b) providing a controller 
 that controls the plurality of torque stations, including
 the torque wrenches, 
 the horizontal positioning mechanisms, and 
 the vertical positioning mechanisms; 
 
 (c) supporting a riser string on a drilling rig or platform, 
 
       the riser string including
 a plurality of joints of riser sections, 
 wherein the riser joint sections are
 threadably connected together with a plurality of riser threaded bolt members; 
 
 (d) the controller causing the plurality of drive heads to each engage one of the plurality of riser threaded bolt members on one of the plurality of riser joint sections; 
 (e) the controller causing each of the drive heads to break out their respectively engaged riser threaded bolt member; 
 (f) causing the plurality of drive heads to spin up their respectively engaged riser threaded bolt members, 
 wherein, during the spin up process, the respective torque wrenches turning their respective drive heads; 
 (g) the controller causing the plurality of drive heads to disengage the plurality of riser threaded bolt members, and 
 providing clearance for another one of the plurality of riser joint sections
 to be broken out of the riser string; 
 
 (h) removing and retrieving the riser joint section of the riser string; and 
 (i) raising the riser string a distance so that another one of the plurality of riser joint sections can be broken out, removed, and retrieved; and 
 wherein the controller automatically controls the plurality of torque stations. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein step “f” is performed before step “e” is completed for each of the plurality of riser threaded bolt members of a particular riser section. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein in step “d” each of the plurality of riser threaded bolt members are simultaneously engaged. 
     
     
       14. The wrench system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torque stations encircles said riser, and wherein the horizontal positioning mechanism moves the drive head in a radial line extending inwardly toward said riser.